AMRITSAR: Ahead of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi's proposed visit to Canada in April, Sikh body "Sikhs For Justice" (SFJ) has launched a petition urging PM Stephen Harper to raise with his Indian counterpart the demands of Sikh who are advocating for an independent country.

The "Punjab Referendum Petition" which is supported by management committees of Gurudawaras across Canada will be submitted to the Prime Minister's office on April 6 informed, legal adviser SFJ Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in a release issued here on Thursday.

Reportedly Modi is scheduled to set off on a week-long Europe-Canada tour next month to make Paris the first stop on April 10, followed by Bonn and finally Toronto where he will address a public meeting of NRIs.

Stating that while Canada, by holding referendum, has given right to people of Quebec to form an independent country he alleged that India had suppressed the demand.

"We want PM Harper to protect the freedom of expression of Sikhs nationalists in Canada who are advocating the Khalistan," stated Jatinder Singh Grewal, SFJ's director of International Policy.